Udaan U-20 Border Girls Football Championship Kicks Off in Assam

Inaugural Ceremony of the Championship

The Udaan U-20 Border Girls Football Championship 2026 commenced with a grand opening ceremony at the Bhooteachang Tea Estate football ground in Udalguri, Assam. This special tournament aims to foster women's empowerment, enhance sports development, and inspire young female footballers from border regions, tea garden communities, and underprivileged areas. Joy Bikash, the Deputy Commissioner of Udalguri district, served as the Chief Guest, while Col Vivek Sharma, Deputy Commander of the Red Horns Artillery Brigade, was the Guest of Honour.

Dignitaries Attend the Event

The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including Colonel Bipin Yadav, Colonel B.S. Choudhury, Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Kumar, and Inspector Ravi Shankar Prasad from the 37 SSB Battalion, who motivated the participating athletes. The ceremony began with traditional Dhol-Mandal performances and cultural displays to welcome the Chief Guest and other dignitaries, who were later honored with Assamese gamosas and mementoes.

Championship Officially Launched

Colonel Amit Yadav, Deputy Commander of the Indian Army, officially inaugurated the championship by cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Following this, Joy Bikash, the Deputy Commissioner, kicked off the tournament by launching the football, marking the start of the championship.

Players Encouraged to Compete

Before the matches began, the dignitaries were introduced to the participating players, who were encouraged to compete with discipline, confidence, and sportsmanship.

Bamunjuli Team Triumphs in Opening Match

The tournament's first match featured a contest between the Bamunjuli Team and the Hatigarh Team, with Bamunjuli emerging victorious with a score of 5-2. Despite the loss, the Hatigarh team was commended for their participation and sportsmanship, receiving participation certificates from Aadhunik India Foundation.

Empowering Young Female Footballers

This championship is designed specifically for young female footballers, offering them a valuable platform to showcase their skills. Many girls from tea garden and border areas have been given the chance to demonstrate their talent through this initiative.

At the end of the event, Aadhunik India Foundation expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Army, 37 SSB Battalion, local administration, volunteers, and all supporters for their significant contributions to the event's success.